Honda Civic Type R’s manufacturing plant to close by 2021

Technological advancements are a trend, as many companies seek innovative strategies that could somehow bring beneficial improvements to society’s way of living. Today, many automotive brands are giving commitment towards the electrification of its vehicle lineup including Honda.

In a recent turn of events, Honda has announced its plan to shut down two of its overseas manufacturing plants in Swindon, United Kingdom and Turkey. The strategic plan itself also points towards the brand’s intent to restructure its global manufacturing network.

Aside from the Civic Type R being built at the Swindon plant for well over a decade, other respective models of the Civic ranging from the hatchback is built on the same plant, while the traditional 4-door sedan is manufactured at the Turkish facility.

Notably, the brand does not affirm that this movement was due to the ongoing buzz of Brexit, which involves British-made vehicles that will soon no longer be guaranteed of tariff-free access to the European Union's single market once the U.K. leaves the EU. Rather, Honda wants to prioritize those regions that demand high production volumes, as well as to keep in track with its electrification strategy.

"We had to consider the rise of electrified vehicles and the different speeds at which electric vehicles will be taken up in North America and Europe. This decision was not informed by Brexit."

Takahiro HachigoHonda Chief Executive

Currently, each plant renders a high volume of vehicles annually, translating a total of 38,000 units for the Turkish facility and 150,000 units for the U.K. plant. With just the impending shut down of the Swindon, United Kingdom plant by 2021, approximately 3,500 workers will be affected. This move, however, is beneficial for Honda’s plan to electrify two-thirds of its lineup by 2030.